Serving as the ultimate role model in the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) is a dream upheld by countless junior members. Molding that dream into a reality is a blessing only a handful of talented individuals get to bring to fruition every year. 

This year’s candidate pool included 13 members vying for a spot on the National Junior Angus Board (NJAB), more than double the number of open seats. 

Newly elected, Catie Collison, Lake City, Iowa; Anne Dameron, Towanda, Ill.; Ava Leibfried, Platteville, Wis.; Blake Pillars, Martin, Mich.; Bryanna Smith, Russell Springs, Ky.; and Grant Solem, Los Olivos, Calif., added a hint of green to their patriotic red, white and blue apparel. 

Green coat glory

As Iowa native, Catie Collison heard regional manager Alex Tolbert mention ‘corn’ during his announcement of the new six, she knew her dream was about to become a reality. 

“When they announced my name, I knew that all my hard work paid off,” Collison says. “I’m very excited for this opportunity, and I know that I’ll be able to commit a lot of my time and effort into this.”

The 20-year-old from Lake City has been involved with the NJAA for more than 10 years and has competed at the NJAS since 2015. Her passion for Angus cattle is shared by her role model, biggest supporter and father: Vince Collison.

“He really played a large part in me wanting to run for a national position like this, his love for Angus cattle and my love for Angus cattle — we can talk about it forever at home,” Collison says.

While being involved on her family’s operation, she developed an interest for the black-hided cattle. As she was getting more involved in the NJAA, that interest transformed into a passion that she wanted to continue to share with others. 

“I’m grateful for all of the people I was able to meet along the way, and I’m very thankful that I was given the opportunity to be able to serve in such a prestigious role like this one,” Collison says. “I’m driven to educate our youth and encourage them to play a role in their own Angus operations.”

The animal science junior is on the pre-veterinary tract at Iowa State University and hopes to continue raising Angus cattle after graduation. 

Anne Dameron was welcomed onto the NJAB by the open arms and warm embrace of her big brother. 

“Hearing my name announced and getting to go up there and celebrate with [Jack] was a special moment,” the Towanda, Ill., local says. “I’m excited to get to have my own journey with the board, but having that experience that we’ll both be able to share and talk about is something that is pretty cool.” 

Dameron’s birthright is in this breed, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’ve been around Angus cattle ever since I was born,” she says. “I’ve been showing since I first could at the junior national [NJAS], and I wouldn’t want to be raised in any other industry.”

The fourth generation Angus breeder’s involvement has grown to levels beyond the showring. Dameron has served on the Illinois Junior Angus Association as a director and vice president. She explains with her time on the state board, she’s been able to develop critical skills needed to serve the NJAB in a positive and inclusive way. 

She hopes she can help make the NJAA feel like a home for other members throughout her term. 

“When you’re a young kid, some of the shows can be intimidating. The green jackets have always been people that are approachable and make the shows what they are and make them fun,” she says. “I want to continue that legacy and just be someone that’s approachable and the junior members can come to.”

While serving, Dameron will continue her studies at the University of Illinois, where she is a sophomore earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science. 

In her own backyard, Ava Leibfried, Platteville, Wis., claimed a green jacket for the next two years while at the Showdown in Madtown. 

Leibfried has served as the secretary, vice president and president for the Wisconsin Junior Angus Association but especially enjoyed a new leadership role this year. 

“I was able to be the junior show chair for this year’s National Junior Angus Show since we hosted in Wisconsin,” she says. “That was a great experience just to kind of have more of a front seat role in not only planning junior nationals, but allowing juniors a say in some of the things that we did.”

The Angus cow-calf producer has been at the end of a halter since she was 6 years old. She attributes her ‘why’ for running for the board to goals of making members feel valued.  

“A lot of green jackets in the past kind of inspired me to try new things and push myself past those boundaries,” she says. “If I’m able to inspire just one junior to try something new and enjoy it and push them to be the best version of themselves, I think that’s a success.” 

The sophomore at Iowa State University is studying agricultural business and plans to continue raising Angus cattle after graduation. 

Though her time within the NJAA won’t be eternal, she says her involvement with the breed that has raised her won’t be ending anytime soon. As for now, she says she wants to focus on helping other members in her new director role.

“I just want to support the juniors,” she says. “Whether that’s physically being by their side in the show ring or listening to their opinions about a preexisting leadership conference, I want them to know that they are seen and heard.” 

Blake Pillars’ name being announced to the NJAB rivaled a Fourth of July fireworks show with the energy and excitement bursting throughout Veterans Memorial Coliseum. 

The first-generation Angus breeder hails from Martin, Mich., where he originally grew up on a dairy farm. With the help of neighboring families, Pillars showed his first Angus female at 9 years old and was hooked on The Business Breed. 

Due to his interest in all sides of the industry, he is pursuing a degree within agricultural business at Northern Oklahoma University while competing on the livestock judging team. 

Pillars says he appreciates the families and friends who helped him achieve his goal of serving on the NJAB. He explains his decision to run for the board was simply for the juniors and his past inspirations gave him the courage to try. 
“People like Brody Fitzgerald and Dawson Dal Porto and so many green coats came in and took me under their wing and kind of changed my life,” Pillars says. “I want to do that and leave the same lasting impact on a junior’s life.”

When Pillars is at an Angus show, his goal is to be someone juniors aren’t afraid to talk to, whether it be for help or a simple hello. 

“I want to be that person that no matter what I look like, wearing a green coat or not, that when I walk down the [barn] aisle, kids can come up to me and we can have a conversation,” he says. 

As the new board member rocks his new green coat these next two years, he hopes he can be a role model for NJAA members.

Bryanna Smith of Russell Springs, Ky., is no stranger to The Business Breed, as her family has been raising Angus cattle since 1940. 

After attending her first NJAS in 2015, Smith says she’s looked forward to opportunities to network and build relationships with others. She has attended every NJAS since, along with other NJAA-powered events. 

“I’ve been to every LEAD (Leaders Engaged in Angus Development) conference and Raising the Bar,” she says of her junior career. “I’ve been present, I’ve had the opportunity to make friendships, participate in contests and just be around those events to make connections with kids over one passion we’re all passionate about.”

Smith shares she has seen the work of the NJAA first-hand when it comes to developing leaders. Though she was still nervous about her stiff competition of other candidates running for the NJAB come voting day, Smith says she was thankful to stand with them.  

“Nerves didn’t really set in until closing ceremonies for me, just because my mindset was so appreciative of the 13 candidates,” she says. “I just think it goes to show what Angus is doing, it goes to show how the NJAA is preparing our youth to be leaders.” 

Smith explains she was beyond thrilled when she heard her name called to serve on the NJAB and will do everything in her power to propel the breed into forward motion.

“In order for the Angus breed to continue, it’s important that our youth are taking on the role of leadership and setting the example for younger juniors,” she explains.

Smith’s desire to serve the breed goes hand-in-hand with her decision to pursue degrees within agricultural economics and agricultural business with a minor in marketing at the University of Kentucky. 

Upon his last year of NJAA eligibility, Grant Solem, Los Olivos, Calif., says his decision to run for the NJAB wasn’t complicated. 

“I was not really ready to be done yet,” he says. “I’ve always looked up to the enthusiasm and dedication that the previous board members had towards the breed, and I want to be someone that continues to share the passion that I do with the Angus breed.”

Solem will be a senior at Oklahoma State University this fall, studying animal science while on the pre-veterinary tract. Having a family that’s been involved in the show industry since he can remember is what led Solem to stay current in the world of Angus.   

While speaking with state delegates at the NJAS, Solem made it a priority to learn about them not only for their vote but simply to familiarize himself with fellow juniors who love their Angus cattle as much as he does. 

“I wanted to make it very personable and get to know each and every one of them to the best of my ability,” he says. “Becoming friends with everybody was my goal throughout the week.”

The new board-elect is thankful for his family within the Angus breed and sees the next two years as an opportunity to strengthen the bond between junior members, board directors and ultimately — the breed as a whole.

“I just want to be someone that younger members can look up to and make sure that everyone has a really fun experience.”